RNAi screens to determine homologous recombination networks and identify anti-cancer drugs

by Thomas Helleday (Stockholm University)

Wednesday 3 Feb 2010, 16:00 → 17:00 Europe/Stockholm

RB35 (RB35)

Previously, we showed that homologous recombination (HR) defective BRCA2 mutated breast cancers are highly sensitive to PARP inhibitors, that inhibit DNA single-strand break (SSB) repair. This show that targeting DNA repair using synthetic lethality is a viable strategy to selectively kill cancers. In preliminary results, we found that prostate cancers cells are defective in SSB repair and rely on HR for survival. Here, we identify proteins involved in HR using RNAi screens and identify inhibitors that may eventually proceed into clinical trials for prostate cancer.